I was working for Dan on a pickup shots from a film previously shot, "Finding Julia," when one of the actors went to the restroom and damaged a piece of my gear. As a sound mixer I place microphones on actors, the microphone and transmitter are two seperate pieces that go on the actor - The actual microphone can get wet, the transmitter cannot. The actor got the transmitter wet when washing his hands subsequently destroying the transmitter. I sent the transmitter to the manufacturer for repair which Dan agreed upon but the manufacturer (lectrosonics) said that due to the amount of water damage too many parts were damaged and would need to be completely replaced, however it was older than 7 years and they no longer carry those parts anymore. In situations where parts are no longer available there is an option to purchase a new transmitter from the Lectrosonics at a lower cost, $1043.30, but since this transmitter is older than 7 years that option is not available and a new transmitter from a DEALER would have to be purhased. His letter is as follow -
"Jacob
The UM400 transmitter you sent in for repair, is beyond a repair due to the corrosion damage we found inside and the circuit boards need to repair it are no longer available. This unit is also more than 7 years old and does not qualify for an exchange due to the UM400 being damaged beyond repair. We do offer an exchange for equipment that’s less than 7 years old and the SMQV-26 exchange would normally be $1043.30. let me know if you have any questions. Thank you"
I let Dan know and he is under the impression that all I am owed is the $1043.30, however that is not the case.
Lextrosonics replacement for the UM400 is the SMQV as the SMQV is the newer model. The price point of the SMQV is the same as the price point for the UM400 when it was new, that price is $1399.99 before tax and/or shipping.
Dan has gone on to tell me that he will not use the insurance policy for the following reason in the letter below
"Thanks for shooting over. Here's the reality of this. I got this project so last minute that I didn't have time to set up my own insurance policy. So I asked a friend to cover me on his. The liability is solely on me, not another company. I don't wish to file a claim through his insurance, because that would put a strain on his "hookup" with future shoots.